Creamy turbidly brown ‘German-styled’ bock opens with pleasing nutmeg-clove-allspice-tinged banana snip sheltering earthy wheat restraint. But that auspicious frontage only readies blissful boozer for roasted hazelnut embarkation, stewed prune strew, and relegated chocolate slip fetchingly consuming brown sugared midst. Fire-roasted peat malts line syrupy cola flow while imminent brandy, barleywine, and cherry jubilee hints caress durable medicinal finish.
OTTER CREEK WORLD TOUR HOLY OTTER TRIPEL ALE
Light-bodied saffron-hazed Belgian-styled tripel maintains tingly-hopped apple-spiced gist, peculiar earthen mildewed mustiness, and herbaceous floral inflection. Candi-sugared peach-nectar-cranberry inkling barely registers above meek wheat musk.
OTTER CREEK WORLD TOUR DOUBLE DECKER OLDE ENGLISH-STYLE HOLIDAY ALE
Straight-ahead moderate-bodied holiday ale lacks expectant seasonal spicing, instead prodding brown ale or weak barleywine comparisons. Lovely barley-roasted almond-hazelnut tautness scurries through ample brown chocolate-y sweetness. Impending phenol metallic drudgery nearly depletes casual vanilla, toffee, kettle corn, gingerbread, and Graham cracker illusions.
OTTER CREEK WORLD TOUR CUCKOO BOCK
Laid-back German-styled maibock invites fruity grapefruit, peach, and apple illusions to brighten toasted Vienna malts. But soiled mineral earthiness and floral- hopped listlessness make unsure finish timidly unassuming.
OTTER CREEK WORLD TOUR CERVEZA CACAO
Serene golden ale with cocoa and spices inspired by ancient Aztec drink, Xocolati, counters curry-smoked black pepper mandate with mild mocha. Red ale-like fruited sweetness fortifies floral backdrop and vanilla-cinnamon trickle to cardboard-y chocolate malt finish. A lighter alternative to Rogue’s Chipotle Ale?
OTTER CREEK WINTER ALE RASPBERRY BROWN
Despite surprising absence of ‘wintry’ spicing and lack of rich ‘brown’ ale depth, this “perfectly fruited” 2007 ale goes down like maple-sugared Cherry Coke. Syrupy raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry sweetness embraces red-black cherry salience as caramelized molasses malts thicken soda flow. Dry tobacco, hazelnut, and pecan scurry through twiggy wood bottom.
OTTER CREEK WINTER ALE
Sweet-flowered winter ale made in traditional Scottish fashion. Yeasty auburn seasonal layers sharp carbonation above soft mocha creaminess up-front. Maple-sapped barley-roasted caramel malting contrasts holiday spicing while slightest bitterness creeps through prune finish. Sans spice, this would appeal to brown ale fans.
OTTER CREEK WHITESAIL BELGIAN STYLE WHITE ALE
Mild straw-hazed witbier layers pleasant orange-peeled coriander nicety and peppery hop fizz above honeyed barley-oats, stabilizing latent lemony apricot zest of crisp medium body. But funky metallic finish ruins husked wheat graining and fruited tartness.
OTTER CREEK VERMONT LAGER
Euro-styled golden lager submits spice-hopped grain stimulus and brisk lemon rind tang to light breaded bottom. Engaging piney wood tone buffers citric zest.
OTTER CREEK SUMMER WHEAT ALE
Pale-toned summer ale with soft wheat and peppery hops balanced by fruity tartness. Spunky lemon backdrop at refreshing finish softens flow though fizzy aftertaste is incomplete and indistinct.
OTTER CREEK STOVEPIPE PORTER
Rich chocolate nougat creaminess and caramel-roasted malting complement coffee grain bitterness. Yet unlike heavier porters, delicate maple-sapped nuttiness provides softer texture so it goes down easier. Upgraded, updated 2010 version plied burnt caramel, brown chocolate and vanilla sweetness to mild pine-smoked nuttiness, picking up desolate espresso wisps with excellent results.
OTTER CREEK RASPBERRY BROWN WINTER ALE
Tart raspberry puree scheme outweighs astringent crystal-chocolate malting and honeyed hazelnut whim of ’06 version. Metallic phenol hop fizz restrains strawberry-kiwi nip, recessive wood impression, and harsh walnut density.